Employees' Rights Regarding Their Medical Providers
When you’re injured at work, and want to receive workers’ compensation benefits from your employer, how much control do you have over your medical visits? Many people fear that if they receive the benefits they are entitled to by their employer, they give up some of their rights to choice and to privacy with their doctors. This should not be the case.
After your injury, Illinois workers’ compensation law guarantees you the right to:
· choose your own doctor or hospital
· receive emergency or first aid care at a facility you choose
· visit your provider without paying a co-pay or other out-of-pocket expense
· speak with your doctors freely without fear that your privacy is lost.
Your employer will need to know the name and address of the doctor or hospital you choose. And you will need to give enough information and documentation for your employer to know that your injury is a valid work-related injury. However, that does not mean that your records become an open book to your employer. Nor does that mean that your employer has access to speak with your doctors and nurses.
The laws are there to protect your medical and privacy rights, while still allowing you to receive medical benefits. The laws also help to protect your relationship with your employer by ensuring that you cannot be pressured to give up any of your rights. In this troubled economy, no one wants to fear losing their job, and certainly not because of an injury that occurred because of the job. Illinois law provides that protection; all you have to do is exercise the rights you have.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
Hi Mike,
I'm interested in learning more about how you started this network of attorneys in Illinois, and how that works. I find your post interesting in that IL allows workers to choose their own doctor. In NC, the exact opposite is true - once the insurance company accepts liability, then the adjuster is able to direct the workers care.
My experience has been that NC goes against the grain on a lot of issues, and this appears to be another one. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Hart
I was making a delivery for a transportation company on Dec 16, 2010, and was injured by 2400# of ceramic tile. I notified my boss of the incident and stated that a needed medical attention. He had me return to the warehouse and fill out a incident report. Once the report was completed, I met with the owner of the company, where I was terminated from my job. I wasn't offered any medical care by the company. I eventually went to a hospital for some treatment. I am now suffering from tremendous back pain and need further treatment. Is there anything that I can do within workers compensation law?
Stephen,
You should go to the doctor ASAP and then contact us. Just make sure to let the doctor know how you were hurt. You still have all your rights.
Mike
I was injured at work on July 22, 2010. I have been to 2 work comp doctors. They all said I had muscle strain in the lower lumbar region. I went to the Emergency room, because I was in so much pain. It felt like a burning sensation in my back radiating down into my right hip. The emergency room dignosed as Chronic Back pain. I told everyone what they said. They tried to set an appointment up with Dr. Milam in Charlotte, NC. I had already been to him and he said nothing was wrong with me. I got tired of trying with those, so I went out of the box. I went to a primary care physician in Kannopolis, NC. He looked at the exrays and said I had a bulging disk that was pinching my sciatic nerve. I hate working with work comp doctors. I work for Duke Energy. I have been with them for 5 years. I wanted to be treated fairly. All the work comp doctors want is to send me to work in pain. What can I do about all these problems? I need help.